Ice grouser shoe



Dec. 4, 1928. l 1,693,831

w. TURNBULL 1cm GRoUsER SHOE Filed June 8, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E: IEM 'L.

/sATToRNEx/s Patented Dec. 4, 1928.V

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM TURNBULL, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO., 0F SAN 'LEANDRQ CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

ICE GROUSER SHOE.

Application led June 8,

My invention relates to grousers or shoes adapted to be attached to the trackof a crawler' or track-layer type Vehicle and relates particularly to a grouser for adapting such a vehicle for use on ice, and comparable slippery surfaces.

An object of my invention is to provide a grouser shoe which will afford excellent traction for a crawler type vehicle on ice and similar slippery surfaces.

Another object of my invention is to provide a grouser shoe which will permit the passage therethru of snow and slush from the interior of the track.

A further object of my invention i's to provide a light weight grouser shoe which carries a plurality of ground engaging surfaces.

My invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which with the foregoing, will be set forth at length in the following description where I shall outline in full that form of theice grouser shoe of my invention, which I have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. In said drawings I have shown one form of ice grouser shoe embodying my invention, but it is to be understood: that I do not limit myself to such form since the invention, as set forth in the claims may be embodied in a plurality of forms.

In -the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of the ice grouser shoe of my invention as attached .to the track of a crawler type vehicle.

Fig. 2 shows in plan the ice grouser shoe of my invention as seen from below.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the ice grouser shoe of my invention as attached to a track.

Fig. 4 shows the ice grouser shoe of my invention in transverse section, the plane of section being indicated byline 4 4 of Fig. 2, and the grousershoe being attached to a link of a track.

'Iheice grouser shoe of my invention preferably comprises a unitary structure having longitudinal and transverse ice grousers thereon and provided with a central open-I ing thru which snow and slush canl be discharged from the track. Y A standard t pe of track to which the ice grouser shoe o my invention is adapted to be attached comprises a (plurality of links 6 joined by bushings 7 an track 'bolts 8V 1927. seriai No. 197,328.

each link generally includes a flange 9 apertured to receive fastening means, such as a nut and bolt 11 for the attachment of track shoes. To a link such as 6, I preferably attach my ice grouser shoe which preferably is constructed of a single body of metal, either cast or drop forged. The grouser shoe preferably includes a pair of pads 12 symmetrically situated at either side of'a center line and provided with apertures 13 for alignment with the apertures in flange 9 to receivethe fastening means 11. The twopads 12 are connected by transverse bars 14 and'16, respectively, which merge smoothly with the pads and together with them bound a central opening 17 thru which snow and slush can be discharged by the track. Loc-ated on the transverse ybar 14 and preferably coinciding with the center line of the grouser shoe is an upstanding'longitudinal flange 18 of generally triangular section which is intended to engage the ground and may be sharpened for better traction on ice. At the edgel of opening 17 and at one end oflange 18a pair of supportingV shoulders 19 are formed. They reeinforce'the longitudinal flange 18 and greatly yincrease lts strength. Along the other transverse bar 16, a transverse flange 21 is provided which along one edge is perpendicular to the upper surface of the grouser shoe and along the other edge lies at an angle to the lower surface of the grouser shoe and merges smoothly therewith. A pair of enlargements 22 are formed intermediate the ends of transverse flange 1G and project from the pads 12 substantially the same amount as does flange 18. 'lhe enlargements can 'also be sharpened for enga gement with ice and aid materially in inn creasing the traction on slippery surfaces.

r Joining flanges 16 and pads '14, are a pair v of reenforcing webs 23 projecting from pads and 21 and is amply reenforced by webs 23 land shoulders 19. It is also provided with a central aperture 17 thru which snow and slush can be discharged from the track and it can readily be bolted into place and removed from the track shoes 6.

I claim:

1. An ice grouser shoe comprising an integral body including a pair of pads, a pair of transverse bars connecting said pads, reinforcing Webs on said pads connect-ing said bars', a longitudinal flange on one of said bars, and a transverse flange on the other of said bars.

2. An ice grouser shoe comprising a pair of pads, each of said pads having an aperf ture therein, a pair of transverse bars joining said pads and enclosing a central opening therewith, a longitudinal flange upstanding` from one of said bars, a transverse flange upstanding from the other of said bars, and a pair of enlargements on said transverse flange.

3. An ice grouser shoe comprising a pair of pads, each of said pads having an aperture therein, a pair of transverse bars joining said pads and enclosing therewith a central opening, a reinforcing web on each of said pads connecting said bars, a longitudinal flange on one of said bars, supporting shoulders for said flange, a transverse flange on the other of said bars, and enlargements on said flange adjacent said Webs.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

VILLIAM TURNBULL 

